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KITCHENER — The booming voice broke through the silence of the courtroom as the accused stood quietly, talking to his lawyer.

“You’ll rot in hell, buddy,” were the last words Stephen Johnson, 37, heard before he was led back to a detention cell after a first appearance in court Thursday.

Johnson is charged with first-degree murder and committing an indignity to a human body in the death of Kelsey Louise Felker, 24.

Felker’s torso was found in a dumpster behind an apartment building just two blocks from the courthouse Saturday.

Johnson and Felker knew each other, reports say.

Johnson was arrested at a local hotel early Thursday.

In court, he appeared serious. Wearing a dark blue track-suit coat, the slim Kitchener man with closely-cropped brown hair and beard whispered with his lawyer before being remanded in custody.

Johnson is expected to appear in court by video Feb. 15.

A publication ban was imposed on Thursday’s proceedings.

The man who yelled at Johnson from the public gallery in court appeared to have no effect on the accused. It wasn’t clear who he is or whether he’s connected to Felker.

Meanwhile, just two blocks away, friends had set up a memorial for the 24-year-old woman. But if you didn’t know to look for it, you’d miss it.

By a large maple at the side of the apartment building where her torso was found were three candles, two bunches of flowers and a photo frame, much of it covered by blowing snow.

Felker was a mother of two, remembered as kind and caring. But she’s also battled an addiction to crack cocaine, had run-ins with the law and her children didn’t live with her.

Police wouldn’t say whether a weapon was found at the scene, confirming only the torso was clothed in a black, short-sleeved T-shirt with the words “Forget Princess I want to be a Vampire” on the front.

On a Facebook memorial page dedicated to the woman, friends planned a candle-lit memorial for Monday at 9 p.m. at Kitchener city hall.